Hip-hop, R&B, soul, jazz, reggae, gospel, old school, and symphony live-music concerts happening in Cincinnati in 2023
Black composers, plays, museum exhibits, comedy shows, concert series, operas, dance recitals, local music, and festivals in Cincinnati.
Black Cincinnatians can routinely and affordably enjoy the performing arts, fine arts, musicians, entertainers, comedians, program initiatives, and more. Arts and entertainment can help improve physical and mental health.
Cincinnati is also extremely fortunate that nationally known artists display their talents in the Queen City music scene. Touring acclaimed African American artists, artistic directors, singers, music directors and performers routinely visit.
Ask the box office about exclusive deals, discount options, community performances, dress rehearsals, recitals or same-day options when purchasing tickets. Some events will sell out quickly, so purchase tickets while you can.
Feel free to submit an event to be considered in this article. All Cincinnati African American Events listed are as current as the publication date. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information before acting.
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Group Discussion February 1, 7 p.m. Walnut Hills Branch Library or Zoom Begin Black History Month with the narratives of two men who made their way to Cincinnati after being enslaved.
Dance Performance February 3 – February 4 The Aronoff Center for the Arts (Downtown) Combining the energy of Hip Hop, the refinement of classical Ballet, and the angular quality of Contemporary Dance.
Comedy Show February 3 – February 5 Funny Bone (Liberty Township) Hailing from Jacksonville, Duval country, Florida, Lil Duval takes more than just a stage name from home.
R&B Concert February 4, 8:30 p.m. The Ludlow Garage (Clifton) Macy Gray is an American R&B and soul singer and actress known for her distinctive raspy voice.
Art Exhibit February 4 – March 14 Taft Museum of Art (Downtown) The gallery features 67 works of art, including sculptures, paintings, photographs, and other mediums by well-known African American artists.
Art Exhibit February 10 – August 6 Contemporary Arts Center (Downtown) Ecologies of Elsewhere features multidisciplinary artworks and activations that explore the physical and symbolic properties of plant life.
Dinner Dance February 11, 6 p.m. Duke Energy Convention Center (Downtown) Walk the red carpet into a special evening of dinner, dancing, a keepsake professional daddy-daughter photo, prizes, and more.
Hip-Hop Concert February 11, 7 p.m. Heritage Bank Center (The Banks) Lineups could include Rick Ross, Jeezy, Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz, Ja Rule, Plies, Jadakiss, Cam’ron, and Jucee Froot.
Jazz Concert February 13, 7 p.m. Memorial Hall (OTR) Celebrate Valentine’s Day one night early with a special concert by world-class jazz vocalist Mandy Gaines
Broadway Musical February 7 – February 12 The Aronoff Center for the Arts (Downtown) Little Orphan Annie has reminded generations of theatergoers that sunshine is always around the corner.
Art Exhibition February 16 – June 4 Taft Museum of Art (Downtown) Combining historical images with decorative motifs that adorn and memorialize representations of racial identity in the United States.
Art Exhibition Through February 16 Kennedy Heights Arts Center (Kennedy Heights) See the photography and illustration exhibition, Vibe Fellows, by Shi Low and Ke’Monte’ Figgs at Kennedy Heights Arts Center.
Jazz Concert February 16, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Caffe Vivace (Walnut Hills) Join as Caffe Vivace proudly presents the Nduduzo Makhathini Quartet as part of the Winter Jazz Series
R&B Concert February 17, 8 p.m. The Aronoff Center for the Arts(Downtown) Marsha Ambrosius, Raheem DeVaughn, and Keke Wyatt will perform an unforgettable evening of love songs.
Dance Performance February 17 – February 18 The Aronoff Center for the Arts(Downtown) The dancers will illustrate the complexities of love as told through the perspective of four different choreographers.
Fundraiser February 25 Kolping Center (Greenhills) This is the Cincinnati Ques’ signature event and serves as the primary fundraiser for their mission of providing scholarships.
Art Exhibition Through February 25 Wave Pool (Camp Washington) “The Gift” is a meditation on the ways in which Art can allow us to reimagine new currencies of exchange. In the reimagination, narratives of scarcity and competition are rejected, and thriving for all is possible.
Comedy Show March 3 – March 4 Funny Bone (Liberty Township) A quick wit, charm, and aggressive style of comedy will leave the audience rolling in laughter.
Art Exhibition Through March 6 National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (The Banks) Symbols of the past are shown in a new light as works from over 20 artists explore issues of unfreedom.
Broadway Musical March 7 – March 19 The Aronoff Center for the Arts(Downtown) A laugh-out-loud love letter to the theatre, based on the Oscar®-nominated film.
Rap Concert March 22, 8 p.m. Andrew J Brady Music Center (The Banks) Key Glock announces his 2023 tour with support from Big Scarr this upcoming spring.
Symphony Performance March 24 – March 26 Music Hall(OTR) Russian conductor Anna Rakitina leads works by composers who lived with hearing loss- Beethoven and British composer Richard Ayres.
R&B Performance March 26 Heritage Bank Center (The Banks) Multi-platinum-selling R&B supergroup New Edition is returning withKeith Sweat, Guy, and special guest Tank.
Symphony Concert April 14, 7:30 p.m. Music Hall (OTR) Join the Cincinnati Pops and the Classical Roots Community Mass Choir to celebrate a Queen City tradition.
Orchestra Concert April 15 – April 16 Music Hall (OTR) Mussorgsky’s Picture at an Exhibition is an epic musical stroll through an eclectic gallery of paintings.
Comedy Show April 29, 8 p.m. Heritage Bank Center (The Banks) Comedy legend and Emmy® Award-winning actor Katt Williams announced his “2023 and Me” tour.
Dance Performance May 5 – May 6 The Aronoff Center for the Arts(Downtown) Bible Stories brings to life some of the most exciting tales of the highest-selling book in the world.
Music Festival July 20 – July 22 Paycor Stadium (The Banks) Traditionally known as Cincinnati Jazz Fest or the Cincinnati Jazz Festival, the event will take place along the Ohio riverfront.
Festival August 17 – August 20 Sawyer Point (The Banks) Including consumers, corporations, and communities, and focusing on the historic strengths and values of the Black Family.
Cincinnatians can enjoy music nearly every night of the week. Visit our weekly list of things to do to see which arts centers, concert halls, auditoriums and venues offer chamber, classical, philharmonic, orchestral, choral, folk, R&B, hip-hop, soul or gospel music.
See African American instrumentalists play the violin concerto, cello, clarinet, piano, drums and saxophone. Music from Mozart, Brahms and Mahler is often performed by local symphony orchestras, string quartets, trios, duos and soloists.
Written by: Crystal Kendrick
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